MLB Player News

Saupold was called up from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

Saupold opened the year in the Tigers' bullpen but lasted just 10 days before being sent down. He didn't give up a run in any of his four relief appearances, but he also didn't strike out a single batter. With a career 5.00 ERA in 75.2 major-league innings, he'll be a low-leverage reliever with minimal fantasy impact if and when he makes his way back up.

Fulmer is scheduled to start Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader with the Royals.

Jason Hammel is getting the nod for Kansas City, while the nightcap will feature Daniel Norris and Jake Junis. After racking up 13.1 innings over his first two starts, Fulmer only made it through three frames against Cleveland in his last start April 12 at Progressive Field. He hasn't recorded more than four strikeouts in any of his first three starts, and his early drop in strikeout rate (12.7% K%, 5.0 K/9) is backed by a career-low 6.7 percent swinging-strike rate.

Junis is lined up to start Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Michael Fulmer is scheduled to start the matinee for Detroit, while Jason Hammel and Daniel Norris are on track to face off in the nightcap. Junis was touched up for four runs on seven hits -- including three homers -- over 4.2 innings despite recording a season-high seven strikeouts in his last start against the Angels on Saturday.

Chapman struck out the side to record his third save of the season Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Chapman needed only 12 pitches to set the Blue Jays down in order to secure the win for the Yankees. He has been dominant through eight innings this season, striking out 17 batters while allowing only six baserunners.

Trivino was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, David Adler of MLB.com reports.

Trivino's initial major-league stint was brief but auspicious, as he fired four scoreless frames over back-to-back outings while recording six strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-hander had been just as effective with the Sounds before his callup, as he'd racked up eight whiffs and a save over 4.1 perfect innings across three appearances.

Pomeranz (forearm) will be on a pitch count between 100-105 pitches in his return from the disabled list Friday, Jason Mastrodonato of The Boston Herald reports.

Essentially, Pomeranz won't be facing any restrictions in his 2018 debut Friday against the A's. Pomeranz threw 5.1 innings in his most recent rehab start, but did show some command issues over the course of his rehab stint that included nine walks in 9.2 innings. He'll be facing off against an A's team that ranks 13th in MLB in wOBA against left-handed pitching this season.

Kahnle (shoulder) is also dealing with biceps tendinitis and will be shut down from throwing for 10 days, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees still don't think this injury is overly serious, but the reliever is still expected to miss about three weeks. This puts Kahnle in line to return around May 8, but look for a firmer return date once he ramps up his throwing again.

Manager A.J. Hinch said it's doubtful that Giles will be available for Thursday's game against Seattle due to back tightness, Chandler Rome of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Hinch also stated that Giles had reported the back pain when the club arrived in Seattle on Monday, and that it has "progressively gotten a little bit worse to where he can't go yet." The reliever hasn't pitched since Saturday against Texas and was bypassed during a save opportunity during Tuesday's victory. Though Hinch added that there hasn't been any talk of a DL stint at this time for Giles, his inactivity has been concerning. In his absence, Chris Devenski will likely man the ninth-inning role.

Abreu (appendix) is expected to pitch in simulated games soon, Dan Martin of the New York Post reports.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined since undergoing an appendectomy in February. Abreu will likely need a few rehab starts to build back up to a starter's workload, so it seems like he's still a few weeks away from a full return to action.

The Royals optioned Barlow to Triple-A Omaha prior to the big club's 15-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Barlow had served as the Royals' 26th man in a doubleheader Tuesday, but went unused out of the bullpen in both contests and continues to await his major-league debut. He'll likely resume working in a starting role upon returning to Omaha.